A White Glove Affair: Left to right, IAM Canadian GVP Dave Ritchie , Stratford Perth Museum Curator Micaela Fitzsimmons and IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger don white gloves to handle the first minutes book – circa 1890 – from the first Canadian Local Lodge 103. The book is on permanent display at the Museum, it was loaned to the Ontario Provincial Council of Machinists to celebrate 125 years of the IAM in Canada.
Stratford, ON – Over this past weekend, the Ontario Council of Machinists annual conference played host to the celebrations of the 125th anniversary of the IAM in Canada.
International President Tom Buffenbarger told more than 170 delegates and guests that being a Machinist member is all about loyalty. “It’s genetic, you either have it or you don’t, it’s loyalty to the ideal of justice on the job and service to your community.” In what will likely be his final address in Canada to IAM members Buffenbarger ended his comments by stating , “it’s worth fighting for and it’s worth working hard for and that’s what you have been doing for the past 125 years in Canada and we all have a better life for it. Honour your past, it deserves it.”
It was on June 27, 1890 that Canadian Machinists formed Local Lodge 103 in the City of Stratford, Ontario, 168 kilometers west of Toronto. Like their brothers in Atlanta, Georgia just two years before, it was railway workers, employed by the Grand Trunk Railway that brought our union to Canada. With that charter it became known as the International Association of Machinists or IAM.
“We began with the railways,” said Canadian GVP Dave Ritchie. “We only represent two small railways today but it gave us the foundation to branch out to become one of the most diversified unions in North America and it’s time for us to celebrate our achievements while forging our future.”
The celebrations were highlighted by exhibits from the Stratford Perth Museum promoting the contributions of Machinists toward the growth of Stratford. The museum was the recipient of a bronze railway bell, refurbished by members of IAM Local Lodge 717T to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the IAM in Canada.
Tom Buffenbarger: IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger, in what will likely be his last address to IAM members in Canada, told OPCM delegates and guests that being an IAM member is all about loyalty to an ideal –justice on the job and service to the community. “It’s worth fighting for and worth working hard for and that’s what you have been doing in Canada for 125 years and we all have a better life because of it.”
Print dedication: The IAM Canadian office presented this print to IAM District Lodge 78 and Local Lodge 103 on the 125th anniversary of the IAM in Canada. Local Lodge 103, also known as the pioneer lodge, was the first local lodge in Canada, charted in Stratford, Ontario, on June 27, 1890. The first Canadian members were railway workers employed by the Grand Trunk Railway based in Stratford and they worked on locomotives similar to the one in the print. Left to right: IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger, IAM Local Lodge 103 President Glenn Annett, Local Lodge 103 Secretary Treasurer Rob Elliot and IAM Canadian GVP Dave Ritchie.
Ritchie addresses the delegates: IAM Canadian GVP Dave Ritchie said those first IAM members in Stratford were the foundation which allowed the IAM to branch out to become one of the most diverse labour unions in North America.
The IAM bell: From the mid 1880’s until 1965, Stratford, Ontario was a major railway hub, first for the Grand Trunk Railway and then Canadian National and Machinists were major contributors to the success of the company and the community. To commemorate the 125th anniversary of the IAM in Canada, the IAM presented the Stratford Perth Museum with this railway bell. Found by IAM Canadian Communications Director Bill Trbovich, it was refurbished by members of IAM Local Lodge 717T, who also built the frame. It was a fixture on a Canadian National GP-7 diesel locomotive.
Tube Steak Picnic: IAM Local Lodge 2323 member Dan Jansen joins IAM Canadian Airline Coordinator Carlos DaCosta and Executive Secretary Jocelyne Collett at the barbecue in Stratford’s Upper Queens Park during the OPCM picnic celebrating 125 years of the IAM in Canada. The pouring rain did little to dampen the spirit of the Fighting Machinists.